Your day trading computer is one of the most important parts of your setup. Day trading already poses enough challenges as is; the last thing you want is for your technology to hold you back. While it's possible to trade from your iPhone or laptop, serious day trading generally requires a fast PC with multiple displays. You can work with what you have an upgrade over time. For example, you can upgrade components within your existing computer without buying a new one.

The first thing you need to focus on is your actual trading computer.

This can be a PC tower or a laptop, whichever you prefer. PCs generally allow for more customization and upgrades, but laptops can have great specs as well. A computer's hard drive is where all of your data is stored. Storage is relatively cheap nowadays, so you won't need to pay to upgrade your storage. That said, you should opt for a solid state drive SSD as they are much faster and more efficient.

RAM Random Access Memory is the component of the computer that allows you to run multiple processes efficiently. If you want to have your trading software , chat rooms, and browser windows open, make sure to opt for higher RAM.

Processors, also known as central processing units CPU , serve as the brain of your computer.

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Your computer's CPU controls all of the processes you have running. CPU is measured by it's speed in gigahertz GHz , which will usually start at 1GHz and go up to 4GHz. You should also pay attention to the number of cores your CPU has, as that will affect how many processes can be run simultaneously.

A powerful graphics card is essential for traders who plan on using multiple displays. As you could probably guess, your graphics card is responsible for processing all videos, graphics, and anything you see on your screen. More powerful graphics cards will display better graphics AND allow for higher resource usage AKA using more screens. Think of the GPU as RAM for processing graphics.

Prepared for open heart surgery but turns out it was just a driver update that threw off two of five monitors on Thursday A post shared by Investors Underground investorslive on Feb 11, at 5: Once you have your trading computer set up, you'll want to focus on your computer monitors also referred to as "displays.

Make sure the monitor is compatible with your PC so you don't need to buy an adapter. There is no golden answer to this question. Don't get additional monitors for the sake of it.

Think about what you need the monitors for and continue to upgrade over time. For example, if you can fit 4 charts on each monitor and you like to watch 8 charts during trading hours, get 2 monitors. If at one point you decide you want to watch 12 charts, you can always add a third. More monitors means more things to focus on, and that's not always a good thing.

Check out these trading desks.

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A monitor's resolution refers to how many pixels are displayed on the screen. Additional pixels add higher levels of clarity and allow you to fit more windows on a single screen. Resolution can often come down to preference. If you have extra budget, you may consider exploring higher resolutions like x or 4K x This question comes down to a preference and b desk real estate.

What do you have room for and how do you want your setup to look? For example, you could get similar screen real estate by choosing either 3 inch screens or 2 inch screens. Chances are, if you are getting more than 2 or 3 external monitors, you will need to mount them. Mounting monitors can also save you a You have a few options:. Desk Mounts - Desk mounts can be used to mount monitors. Wall Mounts - Wall mounts can be used to mount your monitors directly to the wall Similar to TVs.

This is generally one of the least flexible options but may be suitable for a couple of monitors. You can usually mount up to 3 monitors on one stand. For most day traders, a simple mobile trading setup will do. Chances are, if you are away from your desktop, you won't be trading too actively.

A mobile phone or basic laptop will suffice in most situations. That said, if you travel frequently or just want to upgrade your mobile setup, here are some considerations. Your trading laptop is the most important part of your setup.

It needs to be able to run smoothly and support any mobile monitors you may have.

Getting higher quality specs on a laptop can be more expensive than building a new desktop. If you already have a decent laptop, consider using that or upgrading certain components vs. Nate's Setup Asus Zenbook Pro: A post shared by Investors Underground investorslive on Apr 3, at 1: This is where USB monitors come in handy.

USB monitors plug directly into your laptop and can be used as additional monitors when you are on the road. ASUS HD USB Monitors. Making life simpler one gadget at a time.. I purchased it the same day you guys mentioned. A post shared by Investors Underground investorslive on Mar 5, at If you are using one or more mobile monitors, it can be helpful to put them on a stand as shown in the 2 pics above.

There are a few different options for mobile monitor mounting. A power bank can be a lifesaver when you're trading on the go. These devices can charge your phone a few times over so you never have to worry about finding a place to plug in. Anker PowerCore Portable Charger.

How does your desktop or mobile setup look? Any life-changing devices you'd recommend? Feel free to share in the comments below!

Here are a few considerations: How to Build a Trading Computer Setup The first thing you need to focus on is your actual trading computer. Hard Drives A computer's hard drive is where all of your data is stored.

In terms of storage, most computers will come with GB, which should be more than enough. GIVE ME MY FREE VIDEOS! Follow on Twitter Like on Facebook Subscribe on YouTube.